Fleur Vertueuse || SBR ||

00- Beginning

The chapter before the actual first chapter 

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"The Steel Ball Run Race..a race across the United States! And the amount of prize money..oh, dad,  you've got to participate! I'm sure our horse would love to stretch his legs!" 

"I told you, my racing days are over, kid. You'll have to enter in yourself."

You hid behind a door, listening as your aunt tried desperately to convince your grandfather to enter in the race. Of course, your grandfather had stated time and time again that he was done racing. Of course, he was one of the best racers around, so you guessed that your aunt just wanted him to win so she'd get the money. Rolling your eyes slightly, you took a step out of your hiding place.

"If you really want someone to participate in that race, I'll do it. I'll even give you the stupid money." You told your aunt, leaning against the wall slightly. Your aunt took one look at you, before laughing. "That's a cute joke! You haven't gotten on a horse before! How about you go back to bed, sweetie?" She spoke to you, like a mother would speak to her baby. Your face reddened in anger. "DON'T DOUBT ME! I know I can win! Just give me the ok and I'll head out to register!" You shouted, a sharp tone to your voice. Your aunt hesitated, paling slightly. Your grandfather stayed silent, though he was watching you intently.

"Oh..you're being serious. Honey..the truth is, I don't think you're capable. If you enter that race.."

"..You'll only embarrass our family name."

Those words hit you like a bullet. 'You'll only embarrass our family name..I don't think you're capable..That's a cute joke..' Your aunt's words echoed in your head, over and over. 'Am I really just a joke to her?' You thought. Your vision clouded slightly, and you didn't recall doing anything at all..you just suddenly looked down, and your aunt was on the floor, groaning our in pain. Looking closer, you could make out a stab wound..but looking around, you didn't have a knife in hand. You slowly put a hand on the newspaper, and held it up, pointing at the words, 'STEEL BALL RUN', and spoke.

"I, Y/N, will not cower because you believe I am simply a joke! I am no coward! Y/N L/N has a hope that you will never have!" You stated, before slamming the newspaper down on the table. "The one who is a joke to the family is you! I will not falter!" You then walked out of the house, hearing the slam of the door behind you. Eventually, you approached the horse, running a hand along its jet black mane. "You'll be up for a bit of racing, right, Penny Lane?" You asked, the horse snorting and staring at you, before you heard a door slam. You looked over your shoulder to see your grandpa. "What?" You asked, getting defensive. Would he scold you? 

    Your grandfather quickly took off his famous hat, one he never was seen without, and put it on your head. "You're leaving." He stated, shakily patting Penny Lane. You looked at him, confused. "What do you mean..?" He then turned his head to look at you.

"Why, my grandchild is going to participate in the Steel Ball Run. The grandkid of Jean L/N will be all over the headlines. You know why?" He then paused, and put a hand on your heart. "It's because of what you've got in there. Don't ever lose it. Promise me, Y/N..that you'll make me proud." He looked you deeply in the eyes. With a shocked face, you slowly nodded, and hugged your grandfather.

"I promise..I won't be a joke anymore."

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And so, you went off, riding through the night in a horse that blended in with the night pretty well. You looked up at the starry sky silently, as the only noise that broke the silence was your horse's hooves. You wouldn't be treated like a baby any longer. You were about to make a name for yourself, just as your grandfather had did years before. And you wouldn't let anything get in your way.

..At least..that's what you wanted to happen.